Effect of mindfulness-based programmes on elite athlete mental health: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

ObjectiveTo determine the effectiveness of mindfulness-based programmes (MBPs) on the mental health of elite athletes.DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis.Data sourcesEight online databases (Embase, PsycINFO, SPORTDiscus, MEDLINE, Scopus, Cochrane CENTRAL, ProQuest Dissertations & Theses and Google Scholar), plus forward and backward searching from included studies and previous systematic reviews.Eligibility criteria for selecting studiesStudies were included if they were randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared an MBP against a control, in current or former elite athletes.ResultsOf 2386 articles identified, 12 RCTs were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis, comprising a total of 614 elite athletes (314 MBPs and 300 controls). Overall, MBPs improved mental health, with large significant pooled effect sizes for reducing symptoms of anxiety (hedgesg=−0.87, number of studies (n)=6, p=0.017,I2=90) and stress (g=−0.91, n=5, p=0.012,I2=74) and increasing psychological well-being (g=0.96, n=5, p=0.039.,I2=89). Overall, the risk of bias and certainty of evidence was moderate, and all findings were subject to high estimated levels of heterogeneity.ConclusionMBPs improved several mental health outcomes. Given the moderate degree of evidence, high-quality, adequately powered trials are required in the future. These studies should emphasise intervention fidelity, teacher competence and scalability within elite sport.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42020176654.

A Critical Review of Existing Evidence-Based Sport Psychological Interventions for College Athletes with Comorbid Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder and Sport-Related Concussions

“…Overview of key recent mindfulness studies for athletic mental health, prevention of injuries, rehabilitation from injuries, and performance enhancement (18,19,23,24,26–28). …”

“…The study measured a total of 614 elite athletes across 12 RCTs evaluating psychological distress, symptoms of anxiety and depression, stress, psychological well-being, and mindfulness levels. Results concluded that athletes’ anxiety, distress, and stress decreased, and mental wellness, mindfulness, and psychological health increased as a result of mindfulness-based interventions (23).…”

“…Mindfulness is a treatment approach that is used across the mental health field and by nonprofessionals to help athletes increase their overall mental health. A recent systematic review and meta-analysis examined the effectiveness of mindfulness-based programs for elite athletes (23). The study measured a total of 614 elite athletes across 12 RCTs evaluating psychological distress, symptoms of anxiety and depression, stress, psychological well-being, and mindfulness levels.…”

“…Recent evidence suggests that various mental skills training could be advantageous to assisting student-athletes with ADHD with the prevention, rehabilitation, and performance enhancement of SRC (14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32). Mental skills are defined as the systematic development of cognitive and psychological abilities aimed at improving mental and sports performance (14)(15)(16).…”

On the within-person associations between mindfulness, stress, mood, and self-reported performance: A daily diary among elite Chinese athletes.

“…Mindfulness has been found to play an important role in alleviating the influence of stress among both elite (Myall et al, 2023) and nonelite (e.g., student) athletes (Petterson & Olson, 2017). Dispositional mindfulness is negatively associated with self-reported stress in elite and elite junior athletes (Gustafsson et al, 2015; O’Connor et al, 2022).…”